SOLIDARITY MESSAGE

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) congratulates our colleagues and friends from the Komisi Untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan or The Commission for “the Disappeared” and Victims of Violence (KontraS) on their organization’s fourteenth anniversary.

As one of the most active member-organizations of our federation, KontraS is committed to the work for human rights. Fourteen years in its struggle for human rights, KontraS has withstood the tests of time – overcoming the consequences of the series of raids in 2002 and 2003 and worse still, witnessing the brutality of the assassination of its founder, Munir. Such commitment is one of AFAD’s sources of strength for our regional federation.

We deeply thank you for jointly treading with us the arduous path towards attaining a world free from enforced disappearance and by pushing the Asian governments to undertake steps towards the eradication of enforced disappearances, the empowerment of victims and their families and the guarantee of non-repetition.

Fourteen long years have passed since KontraS was founded. Its birth stemmed from the hope for the rebuilding of a new Indonesia under a democratic system and respect for human rights. However, the country is still plagued with violence, terror and corruption.

The 2012 World Report issued by Human Rights Watch depicting the true state of human rights in Indonesia has proven that the entrenched legacy of military rule is so deeply embedded in the government. While past rights abuses remain unresolved, continuing acts of violence particularly against religious and ethnic minorities are still being committed under the climate of impunity.

Nonetheless, KontraS has steadfastly stood up to criticize the government for its failure to promote, respect and fulfill the human rights of the Indonesian people. It also critically works with all stakeholders in finding better solutions to remove all stumbling blocks towards genuine democratization. Its persevering efforts have eventually led to the accession by the Indonesian government to most of the international human rights standards. While it greatly contributed to the Indonesian government’s signing of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances, it indefatigably works for its immediate ratification.

Truly, KontraS has helped our federation in providing voice for the voiceless victims of enforced disappearance in the Asian region.

Your work for 14 years serves both as an inspiration and a reminder for all of us that there is still much work to do to break impunity and to make human rights a reality for all.

Long live KontraS!

Signed and authenticated by:

MUGIYANTO	MARY AILEEN D. BACALSO
Chairperson	Secretary-General